Long-range sensing and adjust irrigation system
Background of invention
Most of meadow and plant irrigation system control based on timing. According to this kind of method, controller be programmed make water be transferred during setting-up time and carry reach setting the time length. In order to optimum operation with save water, operator must not infrequently adjust the frequency of watering and the time length adapts to different weather, soil regime and plant situation. No matter different this kind of adjustment of user is seldom implemented and most users comes to an end to attempt to guarantee plant health to its meadow and plant excessively to sprinkle water and situation. This is in individual level and generally speaking wastes a large amount of water in municipal administration level.
In addition, usually using and spray head irrigated grasslands, sprinkling head often becomes radial or angled distribution, and to send, water makes it difficult to evenly irrigate given meadow or plant regional. Under this kind of uneven irrigation, user comes to an end irrigate to some region transitions to guarantee that less irrigation region obtains enough water and keeps green. In addition, the mode of sprinker conveying water is easily spilt askew because of moderate wind.
Recently, drip irrigation is irrigate day by day for grower region. Although drip irrigation irrigates to compare with sprinker can reduce water consumption, but because still needing the frequent monitoring to watering timetable and adjustment (dull and seldom enforcement), therefore still there is identical excessive watering. In addition, drip irrigation is irrigate and is not used in region, meadow, and it frequently consumes major part irrigation water.
In addition, sprinker and an irrigation system need the grid installing irrigation conduit and pipe, and its major part is arranged on underground, thus causes high cost.
Therefore, the current irrigation system used can not carry out for situation adjusting and therefore excessively sprinkling water, and they can not accurately carry water and therefore they can be wasted water, and they can not evenly be carried water and therefore can excessively sprinkle water. In these systems major part install or expensive desirably descend burying pipeline because installing.
In addition, current system can not accurately adjust time length or the timing of watering based on the situation on meadow or plant, and the watering of described place cannot be given based on the plant of a little place (rest part greater or less than region) or meadow demand, because once install system, user seldom readjusts the watering ratio in sprinkler system due to the oppressiveness of task.
Brief summary of the invention
In embodiments, the present invention provides a kind of irrigation system, its with distance sensor lasting monitor the state by its meadow taken care of or plant and water directed into required part when required and meadow or plant are kept fit, and significantly reduce that water uses, unnecessary seepage flow and loss.System use distance sensor (such as camera) obtains and analyzes the image of the meadow by its treatment or plant to determine watering demand with continuing. System uses the water carrying method that can accurately guide water, such as, have the water spouting nozzle of translation and tilt capability. Distance sensor also monitors water landing part when irrigation system just carries water. This information is used for by system adjusting its water conveying target with continuing and improving its water delivery precision lastingly. In addition, system uses current gauge in upright arrangement to save the daily record being transported to the water yield by each place in its region taken care of. System can based on sensing data and take care of historic records optionally advise automatic transport fertilizer or nuisance control solution give each place. System also keeps following the tracks of the water yield being transported to by each place in its region taken care of. If systems axiol-ogy fails to become green to identical place after repeating watering, so its this place is labeled as need gardener interference, send this alarm determining scheme to user and stop sprinkling water this place until user indicates in addition.
On the one hand, the present invention provides a kind of irrigation system. Described irrigation system comprises: image sensor, and it is configured to catch the image irrigating region, and irrigating region is the region taken care of by irrigation system; Steerable water conveying system, it is configured to Waterflow-guiding to irrigation region; And controller unit, it is couple to image sensor and steerable water conveying system and is configured to receive image from image sensor, determines the position irrigated region to sprinkle water and to guide steerable water conveying system and be transported to by water and to determine position.
On the one hand, the present invention provides a kind of method for operating irrigation system, and described method comprises: determine whether current time is suitable for watering; Obtaining the one or more images irrigating region, irrigating region is the region taken care of by irrigation system; Determine to irrigate the position needing watering in region based on the image obtained at least partly; Determine whether to being determined to need the position of watering to sprinkle water; With when determine to by determined need watering position sprinkle water time, to determining to sprinkle water in position.
On the one hand, the present invention provides a kind of for setting up the method for irrigation system, and described method comprises: use image sensor to obtain the one or more images irrigating region, and irrigating region is the region taken care of by irrigation system; Determine to irrigate the scope in region at least partly based on the image obtained; Estimate that steerable water conveying system is relative to the position irrigating region; Guide steerable water conveying system and water is transported to the multiple points irrigated in region; The image irrigating region is used to determine the position of multiple point; Multiple point is used really to locate the calibration information put and determine steerable water conveying system; With preserve calibration information and irrigate region scope for operating irrigation system.
Accompanying drawing is sketched
Fig. 1 is the functional diagram of the irrigation system according to aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is the functional diagram of the camera sensor subsystem according to aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is the functional diagram of the nozzle the handled subsystem according to aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is the skeleton view of the example installation of the irrigation system of the Fig. 1 according to aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is the schema of the irrigation process according to aspect of the present invention.
Describe in detail
Fig. 1 is the functional diagram of irrigation system. Irrigation system comprises sensor unit 10. For example, sensor unit 10 can be video camera.Sensor unit 10 is couple to controller unit 11. Controller unit 11 is couple to steerable water conveying system 12. Water is transported to steerable water conveying system 12 from water source 15. For example, water source 15 by standard water tengential belt from water tap or from other tubing system. Controller unit 11 can based on the steerable water conveying system 12 of the image control carrying out sensor unit 10.
Controller unit 11 is also couple to network 13. Network 13 can be local area network. Network 13 is also couple to server 14. Therefore, controller unit 11 can communicate with server 14. Server 14 can contribute to carrying out system monitoring and installation by user. For example, server 14 can be Personal Computer. Server 14 can also be the server based on cloud computing connecting Internet. Connection between each unit can be wireless or wired connection, and it can carry data flow. Described connection can use communication standard, such as Ethernet, wireless ethernet or general serial bus (USB). Combination or wired and wireless connections can be used, for example, be wired connection and steerable water conveying system 12 between controller unit 11 and sensor unit 10 it is wireless with network 13. In some implementations, the connection of carry data can carry electric power extraly. Other can be used between unit to connect, and for example, sensor unit 10 and steerable water conveying system 12 can be couple to controller unit 11 via network 13.
Fig. 2 is the functional diagram of camera sensor subsystem. For example, the sensor unit 10 of the irrigation system of Fig. 1 can use the camera sensor subsystem of Fig. 2 to realize. Camera sensor subsystem comprises video camera 20. Or, camera sensor subsystem can comprise static image camera. Video camera 20 contains video imager 201, such as CCD or cmos imaging sensor. Video camera 20 is also containing focus lens system 202. Focus lens system 202 can have fixing or variable focal length. Focus lens system 202 is filter unit 21 above. Filter unit 21 comprises multiple spectral filter 210. Each spectral filter 210 allows that the difference of spectrum partially passes through. Filter unit 21 is containing servosystem 211, and one or more spectral filter 210 can be placed on before focus lens system 202 by it. For example, servosystem 211 can be controlled by the controller unit 11 of Fig. 1. In embodiments, camera sensor subsystem does not comprise filter unit 21 and only uses visible images. Or, camera sensor subsystem can use special narrow light spectrum image-forming device. In addition, for example, video camera 20 is by being arranged on directed turret (pointingturret) but (pointable) that can be directed.
In the embodiment only using visible ray, irrigation system can the color in analysis chart picture determine to need watering part. Described analysis can comprise about the information of vegetation color and green saturation situation. In embodiments, irrigation system can comprise sensor, and its sense is surveyed near infrared light and improved the determination to plant situation. For example, spectral filter 210 can comprise the spectral filter for two kinds of wavelength regions. Or, multiple camera or multiple video imager can be used. Irrigation system can use following observation to detect chlorophyll for measuring watering demand or position: Chlorophyll absorption redness is green and near infrared light with blue visible light and scattering visible. In addition, irrigation system from the color saturation that the plant when comparing with dry condition is improved and can detect water and humidity by the reflection of near infrared light. System can use the method for the technology described in " VegetationDetectionforMobileRobotNavigation " of DavidM.Bradley, ScottM.Thayer, AnthonyStentz and PeterRander that in the February, 2004 being similar to institute of robot of Ka Neijimeilong university of Pittsburgh of Pennsylvania 15213, CMU-RI-TR-04-12 delivered, and described technology uses as seen and infrared Absorption characteristic detects vegetation.Detecting based on chlorophyll and water, system can determine to need the region of watering. Similarly, system can determine to need the region of conveying fertilizer.
With reference to figure 1, sensor unit 10 can send images to controller unit 11. Similarly, sensor unit 10 can receive order from controller unit 11. For example, sensor unit 10 can be ordered and used spectral filter and when obtain image. Sensor unit 10 also can be ordered to use that specific translation, inclination, contracting are put, focal position and other camera are arranged.
Controller unit 11 can comprise treater, storer and permanent storage. Permanent storage (such as flash memory or hard disk drive) can store the programmed instruction performed by treater. Controller unit 11 can with other unit (such as with sensor unit 10 or with steerable water conveying system 12) jointly locate. Or, controller unit 11 can be positioned on the independent position away from other unit.
Irrigation system also provides time on the same day and position thereof, such as, by providing correct latitude and longitude, or by determining the street address of its latitude and longitude. System use this information to determine the position of time on the same day and the sky aerial sun is to improve the process of its sensing data, and especially can correct high contrast shade. System can use the detection to strong shade to contribute to along with shadow shapes sweeps slope and the descending crossing planting area and determine planting area.
Under routine operation pattern, systems stay or repetition ground obtain the image of planting area and process image to determine in planting area, which position needs the treatment of watering or other type. Then its nozzle can be directed into the position needing water, fertilizer or nuisance control solution by system. System can perform to perform image procossing before vegetation detects. For example, system can perform image geometry correction, virtual borderlines, daylight and color compensating, motion tracking and 2D and 3D projection. System can use image procossing storehouse, and such as OpenCV storehouse realizes, for example, as described in books " LearningOpenCVComputerVisionwithOpenCVLibrary " ISBN978-0-596-51613-0.
Fig. 3 is the functional diagram that can handle nozzle subsystem. For example, the steerable water conveying system 12 of the irrigation system of Fig. 1 can use the nozzle the handled subsystem of Fig. 3 to realize. Can handling nozzle subsystem and comprise water spouting nozzle 30, it is arranged on turret 31. Turret 31 can translate and tilt for being directed at water spouting nozzle 30. Translation and inclination can change position angle and pitch angle respectively. Water is fed to system by water inlet 35. Water flows through measuring apparatus (gauger) 32 and arrives water spouting nozzle 30 to water valve 33. Water valve 33 has the variable position of adjustable discharge. Alternatively or in addition, water valve 33 can adjust hydraulic pressure. In embodiments, nozzle subsystem can be handled and comprise the sensor for hydraulic pressure. When irrigation system is not sprinkled water, water valve 33 can cut out completely.
Can handle nozzle subsystem can provide accurate water to carry. By adjusting the opening of water valve 33, the throwing distance from the water that can handle nozzle subsystem can change. Adjustment obliquity also can change throwing distance. By translating the angle of water spouting nozzle 30 in a horizontal plane, throwing distance can be changed. Therefore, water can be guided to the whole meadow by irrigation system treatment or plant regional. In some embodiments, nozzle subsystem can be handled and only comprise two in translation, inclination or valve adjustment.Tilt water spouting nozzle 30 to can be used to help to make water arrive its point of destination under less or bigger pressure. Under the difference of water valve 33 opening and the pitch angle of water spouting nozzle 30 combines, water can be transported to identical position. Difference arranges adjustable water transfer rate. Described setting also can affect the tolerance range of water conveying. Translation, inclination and variable valve openings can by servosystem controls. For example, servosystem can carry out order by the main processing unit of irrigation system or controller. Similarly, as by, measured by measuring apparatus 32, the water yield flowing to nozzle also can be reported to controller unit or server.
In embodiments, water spouting nozzle 30 is the laminar flow nozzle carrying water with laminar flow. Therefore, the water carried from water spouting nozzle 30 can be the bar-shaped current of continuous print glass. Because being stratiform, so current in diametrically diffusion and can not can not split into discrete droplets in atmosphere. Therefore, the point of water conveying can be accurate to almost without splash and diffusion dispersion. In addition, for example, the variation of the laminar flow landing point caused because of wind-force or pressure variation is easily corrected by irrigation system, this is because the minimal diffusion of the single point landed and landing point. Also other bleed type can be used. For example, when the distance that water is carried from nozzle is less, point breaking up in non-laminar current is less.
Nozzle subsystem can be handled and can comprise the illumination to current. For example, water spouting nozzle 30 can comprise light source. For example, light source can be the bulb of photodiode (LED) or other type. Current in stratiform form will keep described light usually. Described light can have the color making current more outstanding in the picture. For example, it is contemplated that the spectral response of the sensor unit used in irrigation system selects color. Current are used as light pipe, and by the light of current can be distinct illuminate landing point and make it more easily be detected by sensor. Therefore, irrigation system can be easier to adjust current track by crystal really be transported to expect place. Current are injected with the technology type that coloured light can use and are similar to the technology for decoration property fountain.
Can handle nozzle subsystem can carry other material to replace water or to carry with water. For example, fertilizer, sterilant or combination of materials optionally add current to.
Referring again to Fig. 1, irrigation system can operate in different modes. Can according to controller unit 11, server 14 or combination to the control of operator scheme. First pattern arranges pattern; Two modes is operational mode. The pattern of setting can use during installing irrigation system. Operational mode can use during the regular job of irrigation system.
The algorithm that the pattern of setting can perform starts from following task: scope and the type determining region in planting area. The method determining planting area is the circumference using light tone pigment to describe planting area, and system can be easy to from the image obtained by sensor unit 10 to pick out light tone pigment. System can detect by painting look circumference. For example, can in server 14 sophistication of executing location information. Determining that the other method of planting area uses virtual drawing, wherein user can use Software tool to draw on the image obtained by sensor unit 10 and cover circumference. Then, the information comprising the position covering circumference is returned to system. Even if after systems axiol-ogy to the circumference in one of image, the physical location of sensor unit 10 also cannot be determined relative to the angle of planting area completely with it. For example, this can occur when planting area unevenness or level. In addition, references object possibly cannot be used for determining the distance apart from image scale in the picture. But, system suitably can operate when the physics relation not exclusively known between sensor camera and planting area. Owing to system for given nozzle angle and valve opening monitoring water landing part, can make water landing detect that planting area needs in the image part of watering part in system so steerable water conveying system 12 can be easy to adjust.That is, irrigation can guide watering under closed-loop control.
Pattern algorithm is set and can proceed to following task: many positions that water is transmitted in planting area from steerable water conveying system 12. Described task monitors water landing part via sensor unit 10. The rough calibration of this mutual relationship being used as in nozzle angle and variable valve position and planting area between water landing part. Even if steerable water conveying system 12 is not in the ken of sensor unit 10, calibration tasks still determines the position of steerable water conveying system 12 relative to planting area by water landing part during annotating this calibration process. For example, irrigation system can be observed the current of the steerable water conveying system 12 from two nozzle translation angles and infer the position of steerable water conveying system 12 relative to image plane by determining the point of crossing of two strands of current, no matter is in the visual field or outside the visual field. If the angle of camera makes the arc of current that this deduction can be made as seen and therefore smudgy, so the throwing of the whole water of system adjustable provides two points for each nozzle translation angle. From two landing points of same nozzle angle each between draw straight line and provide the line extended backward on steerable water conveying system 12 position. The point of crossing of two lines of different spray nozzles angle determines the position of nozzle relative to image frame. This determines in following situation useful: determine that the translation of nozzle or pitch angle the need of increase or reduce or water is thrown and whether should be increased or reduce so that water landing place is closer to the desired location in planting area. More than twice observation from the current of nozzle can also other modes use, and for example, is used for compensating measurement errors when determining nozzle location.
Relative to each other and relative to planting area vantage point is there is from above-mentioned visible steerable water conveying system 12 or sensor unit 10. When sensor unit 10 be in make sensor unit 10 can give whole planting area imaging position time, irrigation system can be modified. Similarly, when steerable water conveying system 12 is in the position that water can be transported to any place in planting area, irrigation system can be modified.
The irrigation system of Fig. 1 and the correlation subsystem figure of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are shown with the single-instance of each. Other configurations many can be used. For example, irrigation system can have multiple steerable water conveying system, multiple sensor unit or multiple to promote that comprehensive imaging of planting area and water cover in both. For example, when planting area be large-scale or the shape that has and slope when using single image sensor or single steerable water conveying system to be difficult to competent, this kind of irrigation system can be applied. Multiple installations of irrigation system in a region can be linked to server for combining data analysis. More installations of the system being connected to same server in same geographical area can allow to take care of more accurately planting area because of available wide area data. Similarly, the specific distribution of the function of each system and subsystem has been described. Also other configurations many can be used. For example, some functions giving the credit to controller unit 11 can be performed by sensor unit 10 or steerable water conveying system 12.
Fig. 4 is the skeleton view of the exemplary installation of the irrigation system of Fig. 1. Exemplary installation illustrates sensor unit 10 and steerable water conveying system 12 relative to planting area 40.For simplicity, " planting area " is used to refer to the region of irrigation system watering or is subject to the region of irrigation system treatment. Also term " irrigation region " can be used. Planting area can comprise does not irrigate part, such as hard view. Exemplary installation also illustrates the track of the current 41 leaving the landing point 42 that steerable water conveying system 12 directs in planting area 40.
For ease of illustrating, illustrated planting area 40 has simple shape. The irrigation system described is not limited to this. In addition, many variations of the position of sensor unit 10 and steerable water conveying system 12 in the exemplary installation of Fig. 4 can be used. For example, steerable water conveying system 12 can be positioned at planting area 40.
Fig. 5 is the schema of irrigation process. For example, irrigation process can be performed by the irrigation system of Fig. 1.
In step 500, process enters the pattern of setting. For example, described process can enter, when irrigation system first time starts, the pattern of setting.
In step 501, Procedure Acquisition date and time. This completes by prompting user's (such as by control panel or long-range by client personal computer, smart mobile phone or allied equipment) inputting date and time. Depending on the performance of irrigation system, described process can obtain the date from local real-time clock. For example, described clock can be arranged via global positioning system (GPS) (GPS) receiver module. Described clock also can via be tuned to the wireless receptor of clock broadcast (such as USA National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) clock broadcast) arrange. Described process also can obtain date and time via Internet.
In step 502, the position of Procedure Acquisition irrigation system. Described position can describe according to latitude and longitude. The date and time being similar in step 501, described process obtains position by multiple method. For example, described process can point out user's input information. For example, the information of user's input can be postal street address. , for example, then described process is searched by Internet and address is transformed into latitude and longitude. Also by using the Internet connection of IP address automatically close to described position. When applicable, described process can use the GPS module of connection. Described position and date and time can be used in subsequent process step, for example, for about the information of current and forecasting weather and be used for prediction and can affect the shade of image procossing. For example, if last-period forecast is rainy, even if so not yet occurring to rain, described process also can postpone watering.
In step 503, process such as uses sensor unit 10 to obtain one or more image. Before obtaining image, the setter of irrigation system may mark planting area and be used for determining described planting area. Mark can be the contrast color relative to planting area, such as light tone pigment.
In step 504, process determines the scope of planting area. In embodiments, the image or the multiple image that obtain in step 503 can be transferred to server 14, and user the planting area in image can be edited or add new circumference (it can have the subregion not adjoined) on the server 14 and described information is sent back to system.
In step 505, process estimates the position of water spouting nozzle relative to planting area. Process completes this estimation by arranging lower transmitting current, annotation water landing part at multiple nozzle angle and valve and calculate water spouting nozzle location part by this information.
In step 506, water is transmitted in planting area by process many points and detection water landing part.Described process uses this information, and to make, nozzle angle associates with water landing point with valve setting. During this process, the hydraulic pressure being fed to water spouting nozzle can be made to perform the compensation to changing hydraulic pressure between working life in future by measurement.
In step 507, process saves the whole calibration and configuration information determined during arranging mode step. Described process proceeds to routine operation pattern by proceeding to step 510.
In routine operation pattern, process repeats ground circulation by step 510 to step 518. In step 510, process determines whether current time is suitable for watering. This can based on the time, the front time of once sprinkling water, due to arid situation watering day restriction (such as region law) or similar state. It is favourable that described process also can be considered when to sprinkle water in one day, for example, reduces evaporation and reduces unwanted growth. Described process also can consider current weather condition, before weather conditions or future weather conditions, for example, utilizes rainwater. The watering time also can be irradiated by sunlight and be affected. For example, described process can shift to an earlier date based on the amount of sunlight during days past or postpone watering. For example, sunlight irradiates the sensor unit 10 that can use irrigation system or detects via Weather information (obtaining via Internet). Even if confirming the appropriate time of not watering now, but in embodiments, described process proceeds the later step in routine operation cycle of modes.
In step 511, the latitude of process duration of service and date and system and longitude calculate the sun relative to planting area and relative to the current position of sensor unit. The acutance of the shade in the image obtained and contrast gradient can contribute to the intensity estimating that sunlight irradiates. Described process stores this information and makes it also can the shadow positions in predicted picture help detect dry region better.
In step 512, the one or more image of Procedure Acquisition. Described image can only use visible ray acquisition or described image can be multispectral images.
In step 513, process process image. Described process can correct and strengthen image, for example, carrys out compensate for variable illumination (its can daily and seasonal variation) and compensates geometry distortion that is directed because of camera or that have the optics of shortcoming to cause.
In the step 514, process determines in planting area, which position needs watering. Described process can use vegetation detection method, for example, be similar in above reference papers describe technology one or more vegetation detection.
In embodiments, process can use thermal inertia process to improve the tolerance range of Humidity Detection. Moistening plants and soil has higher thermal inertia than dry plants and soil. This meaning meaning when repeatedly collecting surface temperature data (such as determining) by temperature collection sensor or infrared camera during given one day, and the lower temperature fluctuation limit will be shown in moistening and green plant regional during the whole day and night cycle. With drier regional compare, moist colder and warmer at night on daytime with humidification zones. Similar approach can in order to determine to have the region of walkway or wall. System can use thermal inertia process information to determine to need the region of watering.
In step 515, after determining to need the position (being coerced (stressed) vegetation area) of watering, process determines whether sprinkled water to coercing vegetation area now.Described process can use have in the general information of step 510 and its database each by the specific information coercing vegetation area. For example, if sprinkled water to coercing vegetation area recently, so described process can not give the watering of described region again, even if it seems still in being coerced. This gives the time changed after green plant is sprinkled water. In addition, if having repeated watering to given position and still having shown and coerced sign, so described process can stop again sending, to the watering of described position and to user, the problem that signal claims specific position to need gardening to note. For example, before described process stops sprinkling water to position, the amount repeating watering can be depending on the plant characteristic in described position.
In step 516, process is to the position watering determined in step 515. Nozzle angle and variable valve position are arranged to arranging of estimation and are sprinkled water to specific position by described process. Described process can repeat to obtain and detect water landing point and can make adjustment to correct any water landing point offset error. Described process proceeds to reach section preset time to desired location watering. Time period is the type of above-mentioned variable and the plant sprinkled water or various plants and the function of character. Alternatively or in addition, described process can to desired location watering until have carried the water of intended volume.
In step 517, which position is sprinkled water and has been spilt how much charge to daily record by process, and therefore this Information Availability is in the iteration backward of system algorithm.
In step 518, process proceed to sleep (for example) reach several minutes. Hereafter described process returns to step 510 again.
In each embodiment, some or all in above-mentioned steps at the processing locality unit of irrigation system or can complete on the server, for example, with the large database concept being present in somewhere in Internet cloud calculating.
The irrigation process of Fig. 5 is revised by adding, omit, again sort or change step. For example, irrigation system can provide basic function when undated, time or positional information (but performance can be improved greatly because having this information). In embodiments, therefore, described process omits step 501 and step 502. Described process is obtained the image in place by process and water is directed into described place considers other outside and weather conditions and cause and effectively use water to realize to the general objective of the particular place watering in planting area simultaneously.
The irrigation system of description and the many other change of method can be used. For example, irrigation system can use microwave wireless electric wave come detection system take care of under soil or the water capacity of plant. Described systems radiate is by the microwave signal of predetermined pseudorandom numeral pattern modulates and waits the report from region. In embodiments, described system can passive and only depend on the microwave of the naturally-occurring from plant reflection. Irrigation system is launching executive signal process between return signal, or just processes return signal when passive system, and estimates to return the intensity of sound wave.
Up to and radiowave more than the microwave frequency in 400MHz to 3GHz scope under, the specific inductivity of water is about 80, and the specific inductivity of dry soil under same frequency is about 3. This difference causes the plants and soil regional compare with drying, by region that is moist and covering vegetation, the backscattering of microwave energy is existed measurable difference. Comparing with use camera, microwave (has longer wavelength than optical frequency) and can detect the water on water darker in soil instead of surface.But, the spatial resolution of the actual microwave antenna being installed to planting area side can than the spatial resolution of optics camera relatively out of true. This is because large-scale antenna is required the little place focused on by microbeam on the region away from antenna some meters of. Large-scale can be used to give longer microwave wavelength high spatial resolution by steering antenna. For example, the phased array flat antenna being fixed to the towering building side in planting area can be used.
If the little place being positioned on antenna entity very under observation, the challenge using large-scale or complex antenna so can be eliminated. When region, meadow, low cost, low resolution and the low microwave radar that penetrates can be arranged on the mower for repairing region, meadow. When collecting ground humidity data during mowing and be transferred to main treater, the position of mower is determined by the camera of system and therefore ground humidity data correctly matches with the provider location collected every time. The wired or wireless mode from the device to main treater that are attached to mower can be used to transfer data to system. Alternatively, data are sent to system by the infrared link picked up by camera, and it can reduce costs.
Alternatively, mower also can equip wireless transmitter, and it is picked up by the antenna array that the region being close under observing is fixing. This technology determines the three-dimensional position of transmitter by picking up tick with antenna array, for example, and the technology being similar in the white plate of smart office to use. Antenna array is connected to system processing unit and can accurately determine that mower is in place part of any moment. Radar signal report pairing installed by this information and mower. By information being downloaded to system processor (during mowing or after mowing), can very accurately determine the soil humidity in region. System can use algorithm to determine soil water capacity, the technology that its active used or passive microwave technology type are similar in " the SatelliteRemoteSensingApplicationsforSurfaceSoilMoisture Monitoring:AReview " of LingliWang, the JohnJ.Qu in the EastFIRE laboratory at the paper " PassiveMicrowaveRemoteSensingofSoilMoisture " of EniG.Njokul and DaraEntekhabi in California technical institute jet-propulsion laboratory and the Environmental science and technology center (ESTC) of college of science of the U.S. VA22030Fairfax George Mei Sen university general introduction and describe more in detail in bibliography of enumerating in these papers.
In another change scheme, some or all in the sensor of irrigation system are positioned on flight (in the air) platform. This is concerning can be especially favourable large-scale region (such as farm and golf course). Flight platform can increase to be had navigation and stable electron device and periodically flies at the overlying regions taken care of by it and record sensing data. Once flight platform returns its this platform, data can by wirelessly or be relayed to the processing unit of system by wire. Then, such as other embodiment, sensor information is processed. This kind of flight platform business can be buied and expect day by day afford in time now. Alternatively, the platform that flies can be captive balloon.
In another change scheme, irrigation system can be connected to the Internet service device in cloud computing. Some or all be sent to servers in the data collected by each sensor of irrigation system, some or all wherein performing to determine in the calculating needed for plant and meadow situation. Higher available calculating power and the wider local of access, regionality and national property data can be improved and described determine. Then, the result that server calculates is sent back to the processing locality unit of irrigation system planting area to perform watering and fertilizer and sterilant and carries.
By understanding, each illustrative components, blocks in conjunction with embodiment disclosed herein description, module and algorithm steps can be embodied as electronic hardware, computer software or both combinations to technician.In order to clearly illustrate that this of hardware and software can alternately, substantially each Illustrative components, block, module and step according to its functional description above. This function is embodied as hardware or software depends on the design constraint being applied to total system. Technician can implement the function described by different way for each application-specific, but these implement to determine should not be construed as to cause the scope having departed from the present invention. In addition, in module, block or step, the grouping of function is for ease of describing. Without departing from the present invention, specific function or step can be removed from a module or block.
Each illustrative components, blocks described in conjunction with embodiment disclosed herein and module can be implemented with following item or perform: general procedure device, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or be designed to perform any combination of the device of function described herein. General procedure device can be microprocessor, but in replacement scheme, treater can be any treater, controller, microcontroller or state machine. Treater can also be embodied as the combination of calculating device, and for example, the combination of DSP and microprocessor, multi-microprocessor, one or more microprocessor construct in conjunction with DSP core or other this kind any.
The method or the step of algorithm that describe in conjunction with embodiment disclosed herein can directly be embodied in hardware, in the software module performed by treater or in both combinations. Software module can be arranged in the storage media of RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, eprom memory, eeprom memory, register, hard disk, moveable magnetic disc, CD-ROM or other form any. Exemplary storage medium can be couple to treater and make treater can write storage media from read information and by information. In replacement scheme, storage media can be incorporated into treater. Treater and storage media can be arranged in ASIC.
The foregoing description to disclosed embodiment is provided to make any person skilled in the art can manufacture or use the present invention. Without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art know the various amendments to these embodiments by being easy to, and ultimate principle described herein may be used on other embodiment. It is understood, therefore, that the description presented herein and accompanying drawing represent the current preferred embodiment of the present invention and therefore represent the theme that the present invention extensively imagines. Should also be clear that the scope that the scope of the present invention comprises other embodiment that those skilled in the art can understand and therefore the present invention completely is not limited to any item except being limited to claim of enclosing.